566 J A M A I C A. 



the latter has been fubftituted. The decluie of heahh that has fol- 

 lowed has been exxeedingly confpicuous on this change, from the 

 ufe of rum to that of brandy ; numbers of feamcn contracling difor- 

 ders they were free from before. 



§ Mr. Kalm mentions, that, in the North-American provinces, 

 rum is efteemed much wholefomer than brandy; and he was told 

 by Major Rutherforth, that, being upon the Canada expedition, he 

 had obferved that fuch of his men as drank brandy for fome time, 

 died of it; but thofe who drank rum were not hurt, though they 

 got drunk with it every day, and oftener than the others. 



The caufe of this great difference is obvious from the foregoing 

 , remarks. 



19. It is proper however that this fpirit fliould always be drunk in 

 moderation. Whatever quantity infringes on fobriety, and brings 

 on any diforder, ought to be diminiflied. It is always proper like- 

 , wife, .that in the daily conftant ufe of this fpirit, it fliould be di- 

 luted with water or other fmall liquor, which will render it more 

 mild and inoffenfive in its adlion on the flomach, and organs of 

 , fecretion. 



The too copious ufe of thofe very aftringent acids, the juice of 

 limes and lemons along with fpirits, h^ greatly promoted the in- 

 jury done to the health of thofe who have drunk them to excefs, 

 and in moft habits they are apt to do mifchief. But the juice of 

 oranges, and milder fruits, taken with fuch fpirits, is lefs noxious. 

 Lemons and limes ought always to be admitted fparingly and with 

 the greatefl: caution. 



§ It is a very wrong and injudicious cuflom in Jamaica, in taverns 

 as well as private houfes, to ufe green limes in making punch; for 

 lemons or Seville oranges are feldom made ufe of. The juice of 

 green limes is of a very corrofive nature ; and hence its efficacy in 

 cleanfing^foul ulcers. There is ftrong reafon to believe, that this 

 inofl: noxious ingredient is often produdtive of cramps and other 

 fpafmodic complaints j and that its bad effeds would be more 

 leverely felt, if it were not that they are in fome meafure corre(fled 

 by the fugar which makes a part of the compofition. The acid of 

 this unripe fruit is fp fharp, that it excoriates the inteftines, and 



-caufe« 



